Two cultivars of the African race of finger millet [Eleuslne coracana (L.) Gaertn) “Enakuru composite” (ENC) and Ekalakala-1 (Ek-1), were studied for their response to salt stress during germination and growth. The salt stress reduced the germination of both the cultivars and increased the activity of a - amylase activity significantly at 72 hours after incubation. The ENC had significantly lower rates of germination and a - amylase activity compared to EK-1. The stress also reduced the rate of ear emergence, mean tiller height, mean ear weight and density and the 1000 grain weight.
